The San Pedro Sun

Belizean footballer Colville Richard injured during football matchBelizean footballer Colville Richard playing in the United States with the Huston Hurricanes Football Club (Canes) has been off the field for over a week. That’s because he was seriously injured during his fourth football game on Wednesday October 15th and has been medically advised to remain off the field for at least six weeks. The 24-year-old right winger is a former football player from Ambergris Caye who was drafted to play at one of the top Texas Football clubs earlier this year.
Richards got injured during the game between the Hurricanes and Austin’s Real Cuauhtémoc in which the Hurricanes won by two goals to nil. Speaking to The San Pedro Sun, the injured footballer said that his injures came during a slide tackle from the left side. “I had pushed the ball in front of me and all my weight was on my left leg so when the tackle came in high, it caught me on the knee joint,” said Richards adding that “It is a very unfortunate incident and I don’t believe it was intentional.”

Paws Up for Saga’s Halloween Spooktacular Party!It was a festival of ghosts, monsters and adorable pups at the Halloween Spooktacular Party hosted by Saga Humane Society. The 11th annual event was hosted at Carlo and Ernie’s Runaway Bar on Sunday, October 26th and saw pet lovers and pets alike come out in their most creative costumes. Patrons enjoyed fabulous raffles, silent auctions, great food and drink, smooch the pooch booth, and even gotten their hands read by a psychic dog. All proceed made from the event went towards Saga. Of course the highlight of the day was the pet costume contest. Tasked with making the hard decisions of the day was Miss San Pedro 2014/205 Michelle Nunez and island telenovela star Josh Nunez. Pet owners creatively dressed their furry friends and even had props to compliment their costumes. From princesses to skeletons and even a nurse, each doggie flossed their costume with pride. Prizes were awarded for the best kisser, best owner/pet lookalike, best trick, best costume, cutest and scariest.

Ambergris Today

Halloween Trick or Treat Fun in San PedroSchool children were out by the hundreds in their Halloween costumes all this week, enjoying the all-time childhood favorite event of 'Trick-or-Treating'. Most schools on the island hold their Halloween parties and Trick-or-Treat events and the children visit designated businesses and households that have special goodies in stock for them. Today, Friday, October 31, 2014, the students from Isla Bonita Elementary School were out and about in downtown San Pedro and dropped by the office of Ambergris Today to get their ice pops, locally known as 'Ideals' in Belize. Scroll down to view all the Halloween fun in San Pedro.

Castillo's Hardware Donates Towards Island MarathonCastillo's Hardware presented a check of $1,000 yesterday, Thursday, October 30, 2014, to triathlete Kent Bob Gabourel towards his 5K & 10K Marathon event that will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2014, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Kent is an avid triathlete who is working hard in promoting the sport in San Pedro and participates in various events around the country along with his small group of athletes who have joined him.
Kent told Ambergris Today that the donation will go towards the participation at the Placencia full and half marathon that will take place on December 7, 2014. He, along with nine other young athletes from San Pedro, will be competing in the marathon. The money will go towards covering the expenses of traveling and registration.

Misc Belizean Sources

Chan Pine Ridge AirstripThis morning, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. announced during the inauguration of the newly renovated Chan Pine Ridge Airstrip that the airstrip has been named in the honour of the late Ambassador H.E. Alfredo Martinez.
Ambassador Martinez was posthumously awarded the Order of Belize - the highest order - at the September 2014 Tribute to Belizean Patriots. He served the people and Government of Belize in numerous diplomatic capacities, his last being as Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala.

Remembrance Day - 11 NovemberYou should be aware that this day will be commemorated at 8 am in Memorial Park in Belize City.
Stephen Evans is chairman of the Royal British Legion, and is organising participation.
I'm sure there will be some members coming from Cayo. Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognised as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," in accordance with the Armistice, signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.[1]
The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.

Channel 7

Chikungunya in BelizeIt was only a matter of time - and now Chikungunya has been confirmed in Belize. We can't say 100% sure because the tests still have to go to Trinidad for confirmation, but the Ministry of Health has confirmed that three tests coming out of Las Flore sin Belmopan have tested positive in the CARPHA approved test. When we say CARPHA approved, we're referring to the test administered by the Ministry of Health - and the one approved by the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
This evening, the Director of Health Services told us that - he still wants absolute confirmation:
Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services "Out of the 11 we had 3 reactive by the screen and now we are sending it for confirmation. I will tell you it is heading in the direction that we think it would go because the population, we are finding these preliminary tests positive from Las Flores where we have a lot of people traveling to Salvador and as you know Salvador have a lot of cases. We have increased our level of activities in terms of house to house inspection and spraying in the area."

Serial Predator Gets 20 Years For Raping Child45 year-old Brian Charlesworth who was convicted of raping a 6 year-old girl, will spend 20 years in jail. That's the sentence that ustice Troadio John Gonzalez handed him today at his mitigation hearing. This is his second conviction for carnal knowledge - and other details of his criminal record show that he is a pedophile and a sexual predator.
Charlesworth's former employer testified and told the court that as far as he knows, Charlesworth is of good character. In passing sentence, Justice Gonzalez noted that based Charlesworth's criminal history, he is a convicted pedophile or child molester, and so he cannot get a sentence less than 12 years. That's because in 2001, Charlesworth was convicted of carnal knowledge, and he was sentenced to 12 years in jail for that. He is also serving 3 years for indecent assault, an offence for which he was convicted last year.

Customs To Get New ComptrollerThere will be a new Comptroller of Customs. After 10 years and ten months years in the job, Gregory Gibson is demitting office. Gibson who is long past the age of retirement was on a contract which ahs come to an end. Financial Secretary Joe Waight today confirmed to us that the next most senior customs officer, Emil Grinage is awaiting confirmation from the public service commission to take over as Comptroller.
Reports to our newsroom say that Grinage will take over on November tenth - but Waight could not confirm.
Waight did point out that Grinage himself is only about a year from the retirement age of 55.

How The Cops Caught RobbersLast night, we told you how the Eastern Division Strike Team caught a car load of robbers who had just pulled off an armed robbery at a Chinese Store on Albert Hoy Street in Belama Phase 3. The police caught 4 men in a GEO Prizm on Coney Drive, and also got the stolen loot totaling $741.00 dollars and a loaded 38 revolver.

GOB Says Conorquie Compensation Could Set PrecedentThe Government of Belize is trying to reach a final settlement with the family of special constable Danny Conorquie as compensation for his death in the line of duty. Yesterday, the Prime Minister told the media that they haven’t settled on a final figure – but what Conorquie gets could set a precedent for other law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty:…

DCP Segura Won't Take Responsibility For Cu's Bills, GOB Will28 year old taxi driver Yanie Cu was very seriously injured when Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Segura crashed into his taxi 10 weeks ago. Now Cu cannot walk – and has become dependent on his family, which is forced to beg for assistance to maintain him and pay the medical bills. All this because Segura has refused to accept responsibility for the accident. So will government pay? That’s what the media asked the Prime Minister yesterday:…

Police Lament Leslie Logan Sr.'s Cutting RemarksBut there’s no such tidy ending for the family of Leslie Logan Jr. 10 days ago, we showed you what his family had to say about the investigation into his killing. His father, Leslie Sr. who is a retired police officer with over 30 years of experience in the Department, harshly criticized Orange Walk Police claiming that they mishandled the inquiry.

PM Says Petrocaribe Suit is An Opportunity To Attack PUPLast night you heard the Prime Minister speak boldly about why he thinks the PUP’s challenge to his government’s Petrocaribe spending is going nowhere. But he says not only is he not bothered by the Supreme Court challenge, he actually welcomes it because it gives his government a chance to graphically remind the PUP about how they managed the programme during their term:…

Fin Sec Says Petrocaribe Spending LegitIn his interview the Prime Minister pointed the media to the Financial Secretary Jose Waight – as proof of transparency and accountability in how the Petrocaribe funds have been spent. Now, Waight is usually buried beneath his numbers and rarely speaks with the media, but he did yesterday and told us that his office is preparing a supplementary budget – just for Petrocaribe - to take to the House:..

Tower Hill Named After H.E. FredTwo days ago we told you about the newly refurbished and fully functional Tower Hill airstrip in Orange Walk but what we didn't tell you is that a part from upgrading the actual physical layout it was also renamed after one of the proudest sons of Sugar City, the late Ambassador to Guatemala and former Mayor of Orange Walk Alfredo Martinez. Yesterday at the official ceremony, Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia Jr. spoke about the reason why this name change was more than fitting.

Police Opening UpCommunity policing – it gets a lot of lip service – but not much else…. Today though, in an effort rebuild confidence. The Public Relations Unit for Police invited the media to see it in action at an open day. 7News attended

UDP Licks Chops Over Cayo NorthAs we’ve been reporting, the PUP area representative for Cayo North is stepping down – leaving the area wide open. This would seem to put the PUP which is currently in the driver’s seat at a distinct disadvantage – since their current area representative is walking away form the party – and it’s not on the best of terms. The UDP is seizing on the opportunity to claim back an area that the party has traditionally been strong in. The Prime Minister commented yesterday:…

PROFILE..Tonight's teacher profile is about Roxanne Encalada, a teacher from Corozal - who was never supposed to amount to much - in fact she wasn't even supposed to go to high school. But with determination and good grades, she made it - and she tells us how she did it in tonight;s profile:

Nabi And AndyFor the past week, we’ve been discussing the importance of Paul Nabor as a parandero and a cultural icon. But he was also a pivotal cultural figure in a paradigm shift in Garifuna music. Paul Nabor led Andy Palacio and Aurelio Martinez from Punta to Paranda to record the greatest albums of their careers. In Andy;s case, it was Watina, and tonight we look at their relationship through the eyes of friends:

Nabor's Last Song?And we end the news on that note tonight….remembering Nabor and Andy Palacio, and the unique bond they shared.
We leave you with a performance of his that's never been seen in Belize before. IT was filmed in Hopkins in 2012 or 2013 - and has Nabor singing a song that he never recorded. In it he tells the world that he supported Andy and did not wish him ill in anyway - that's after rumours said he had put obeah on Andy. Ugly stuff, but as you'll see Nabor disposes of it beautifully - and blesses it with hot stout.
Enjoy, and join us back here on Monday…

Channel 5

MoH Still Awaiting Confirmation of Chik-VIs Chik-V in Belize? The virus is prevalent in neighboring Central American countries and the Caribbean and in reality it is more a matter of when, not if, it reaches [...]

20 Years for Convicted Child Predator Forty-five year old Brian Charlesworth has been convicted twice before for sexually abusing minors. Today, the pedophile secured jail time for another conviction of a sexual nature, which makes [...]

Belize City Men Arrested for Brazen RobberyThere was a daring robbery in Belize City’s Belama Phase Three on Thursday evening. The broad daylight robbery happened at about four, and the target was Guan Fa Shop, a [...]

OW Police Reopen InvestigationsThe comments of the highly respected career Police Officer who retired as second in command of the Orange Walk Police Formation did not go unheard. The allegations he made against [...]

Belizeans Prepare to Lay Parandero to RestRenowned parandero, Paul Nabor, passed away at his home in Punta Gorda on October twenty-second after suffering a massive stroke, his third. Tonight the nation prepares to lay this legendary [...]

Memorial Park to Be Opened…AGAINMore than one year ago, the Government of Belize proudly opened the newly upgraded, spiffy Memorial Park in Belize City. It boasted modern booths for vendors, in an architectural style [...]

Cayo Police Bust Woman With Crack There is also news coming from the west. San Ignacio Police are reporting a drug arrest in that municipality while officers were on mobile patrol in Santa Elena Town. [...]

CEMO Prepares for Ebola OutbreakIn the event of national disasters or catastrophes, the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, is expected to take the helm. But when those disasters are confined to Belize City, the [...]

B.T.B. to Host Village Arts & Crafts ExpoThe third annual Village Arts and Crafts Expo organized by the Belize Tourism Board will be held this Saturday at the Memorial Park in Belize City. Over a hundred and [...]

Mind as Medicine Workshop in the CityA mind as medicine workshop will be held on Saturday at the Center for Yoga and Healing Arts. “Mind as Medicine” is a concept developed by Health Education, Doctor Mark [...]

CTV3

Stolen Vehicle Found At Customs Compound In Corozal
Tonight there is good news to report on a vehicle that was reported stolen from 34 year old farmer Joel Ruiz from the village of Patchakan in the Corozal District. It’s a complex issue since the vehicle was found at the Customs compound yard in the village of Consejo in Corozal. So the question arises, how did it reach there? Today reporter Victor Castillo caught up with leading detective Corporal Fernando Valladarez of the Corozal Police Department, who revealed more on their findings.
Cprl. Fernando Valladarez – CIB“On Tuesday the 20th day of October 2014 sometime around 2:30pm one Joel Ruiz, he is a Belizean cane farmer of Patchakan Village Corozal District visited the CIB office where he reported his 1995 GMC Sonoma pickup stolen as a result CIB personnel conducted an investigation into the report from the time the report was made CIB personnel from Corozal went into the area and did the necessary canvasing and during certain information was received that actually led us to the Customs Department based in Consejo Village Corozal District where it was learnt that the said pickup was impounded as it had been found with some contraband goods.”

Liquid Petroleum Gs Goes Up By $2.00
As of tomorrow housewives and restaurant owners will need to dig deeper into their pockets to purchase a hundred pound cylinder of butane as Government announced today a $2.00 increase in the commodity.
The new controlled price per 100 pound cylinder for LPG imported by Belize Gas Limited and Western Gas Company Ltd from Mexico shows Belize City and Corozal residents paying $115.00, Belmopan and San Ignacio residents will pay $117.00, Orange Walk residents will pay $116.00, Benque Viejo $118.00, Dangriga $119.00 and Punta Gorda $120.00.

The Passion Of A Make-up Artist In Orange Walk
Halloween approaches and each year more people within our northern community play dress up and celebrate the occasion. Now, while some argue it’s just a simple way of commercially exploiting the public, the fact remains that people, especially children, have a lot of fun during this time. And while more people join in the celebration of Halloween, the occasion also gives rise to opportunities for a few artistically inclined persons who are sought out for special effects makeup.
Tonight we feature one such artist who lives here in Orange Walk Town. Her name is AnnMar Ayala and she has been a makeup artist for well over ten years. We caught up with her today as she prepared two young ladies get into their character this Halloween.

BTB To Hold Annual Village Arts And Craft Expo
This Saturday will mark 3 consecutive years that the Belize Tourism Board will host its annual Village Arts and Craft Expo. Over the years, the event has catapulted into a premier event where local resources and skills are used to stimulate employment. We spoke to Destination Planning and Development Coordinator, Clyve Myers, who says the event is geared at improving the cohesion between the craft and tourism sector.
Clive Myers – Destination Planning and Development Coordinator, BTB
“The Village Expo is an opportunity for us to provide joint marketing and promotional efforts for the tourism and craft sector in tightening our awareness and appreciation for the artisanal culture amongst tourist and the Belizean public, we have approximately 175 artisans that will be participating this year and it takes place at the Belize City memorial park starting at 9am and it finishes about 5pm in the evening we are excited to say that we have about 44 villages from across the country that will be participating and definitely there will be food and drinks for sale out there, we will have Pen Cayetano and Super Furia band that will be giving us live entertainment so definitely on Saturday it is a family event and we are inviting all young and old to come out it is an early Christmas shopping for your love ones so definitely is will be sunny and bright day.”

No Update On Chikungunya Case From CARPHA
There is still no confirmation emerging from the CARPHA Headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago as it pertains to the blood test samples of suspected Chikungunya cases that surfaced in the Las Flores Area of Belmopan last two weeks. Still, as of late his evening, there is no confirmed case of Chik-V in Belize, just two confirmed cases of Dengue and they are being treated accordingly. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health continues to prepare in case the virus should hit Belize. MOH is currently coordinating activities in conjunction with the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department and the airlines for further strengthening at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. Meetings are also being held with the airlines and personnel from the Airport Concession Company to agree on the implementation of new procedures for passenger arrival.

BDF Will Receive Two Helicopters
Today the Ministry of National Security held a press conference in Belize City where Minister of National Security announced that GOB will purchase 2 BELL 206 helicopters for the Belize Defense Force in order to enhance security in areas that are hard to reach.John Saldivar“Since BATSUB was downsized in 1994 and the helicopter support that they used to provide was pulled, the military in Belize has been faced with serious challenges to carry out its functions in the remote border regions. This has led the B.D.F. to make repeated submissions for the acquisition of this most needed asset over the years. When I took office of Minister of National Security, we revived this attempt to acquire helicopters and the prime minister and the National Security Council strongly supported this move. We were in discussions with the British, the U.S., the Canadians and the Taiwanese; however, none of these have borne fruit. Recently, the opportunity presented itself where we can now acquire these helicopters.”According to the Prime Minister of Belize they are looking at a cost of 4.1 million dollars for 2 refurbished helicopters.

Comedian/Illusionist Entertains Young Students Of Orange Walk
Belize Camping Experience continues to expand its reach to children all over Belize, and that means that they are also bringing their services to children here in Orange Walk Town. The nonprofit organization began its work with children in Belize providing camping experiences to specifically at risk children. Over the years, they worked towards reaching out to more children and only this year they held their first camp at the BSI Staff Club compound. It was a success, but it seems that the work does not end when camp week closes. Today members of the organization along with a special invited guest visited children at Trial Farm Government School to not only share the messages of the church but also entertain them.Josie Gongora – Children’s Program Director, BCE“From time to time we have special guest like what you seeing today is what Mr. Greg is good and he is coming from Canada to entertain, he is a comedian and illusionist and what he does he makes us laugh and we have him visiting the different schools and having all teacher and students with their mouths wide open but what he does is very beautiful because he makes us laugh but he also shares the gospel message to the teachers and to the students that are present.”

US Tells GOB Its Either The Guatemalans Or Build Operating Base Yourself
The construction of a Coast Guard forward operating base on Hunting Caye was brought to an abrupt stop in the first week of October after the US Southern Command issued a stop order.The move came after word got out that the forward operating base was being built by Guatemalans.
At the time the contract was awarded under the status force agreement 2007, there was an agreement that the US government, who is funding the project, could use any contractor to build the operating base. So the US awarded the contract to the Guatemalan company BINARQ, an international company that works in various countries and has done similar projects in the region. But when the noise started the U.S ordered the construction to stop in order to review the situation. But when they got back to GOB the news was not good.
John Saldivar“We have been advised by the US Army Corp of Engineers that at this point there are only two options for Belize. One, that the construction of the forward operating base continues under the existing contractual arrangements with BINARQ and no change in their workforce configuration. Option two is for the government of Belize to complete the construction of the forward operating base. These two options were presented to Cabinet on Tuesday by my ministry and Cabinet has made a decision to go with option two which is for the government of Belize to continue and complete the construction of the forward operating base.”

BNLS To Hold 6th Travelling Caribbean Film And Synopsis In Corozal
The Belize National Library, Corozal Branch in conjunction with the Film Media Arts Unit of the National Institute of Culture and History will be hosting the 6th Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase program and Synopsis in Corozal tomorrow.
This year the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase is made up of 27 documentaries and 3 short animations that represent 13 countries throughout the Caribbean. Elena Castaneda Vivas, Senior Library Assistant told us what the public can expect.
Elena Castaneda – Senior Library Assistant.“Tomorrow the Belize library service and information system in collaboration with the film our student of nature will be hosting its sixth travelling Caribbean film showcase program on synopsis and we are inviting the general public to come out at the central park, we are planning to show the film “Rumbo de la Rumba” at 5pm.”

PlusTV

Ministry of Health says tests confirm Chikungunya in Las FloresPlus News broke the story early last week that preliminary Chikungunya tests taken by at least two Las Flores Belmopan residents were positive.
The Ministry of Health has only today, issued a press release confirming PlusNews’ story.
According to the release, “The Ministry of Health can at this time share preliminary results on samples taken during an active Chikungunya surveillance investigation done in the Las Flores area of Belmopan. Today, The Central Medical Laboratory confirmed three positive IgM antibody tests for Chikungunya from samples collected early last week as a consequence of an investigation of a suspected case of Chikungunya from the Las Flores community. These three positive IgM samples along with another sample will be sent next week Monday for further testing and confirmation by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Laboratory in Trinidad.”

Convicted child molester given twenty years in prisonA spotted record with previous convictions for carnal knowledge and indecent assault led to a 20 year prison term for 45 year old Brian Charlesworth, convicted this week of carnal knowledge.
It is his second time following a conviction in 2001, for which he was given a 12 year prison sentence.
Brian Charlesworth is also serving a three year sentence for indecent assault following a conviction last year.
The current case concerns a six year old female child who was assaulted by Charlesworth between January and October of 2011.
A jury voted 7-2 in favour of conviction on Monday.

Arrests made for Belize City robbery20 year old Burton Claire, 18 year old Kyle Carter, and Jareem Claire were arrested in connection to a robbery.
A 19 year old Chinese student, reported that on the evening of Thursday October 30, while at the family shop namely Guan Fa Shop located in Belama Phase III, Belize City, three dark complexion men entered the establishment, one of whom pointed a chrome revolver at them and demanded money. The other man went behind the counter and took all the cash from the cash register and escaped.

Belize People’s Front launches “Love Belize Campaign”Every Political Party and third party is rounding up their supporters for the upcoming municipal elections, which are to take place in less than 5 months.
But the Belize People’s Front says they are saving their efforts for the big race in 2017.
Nancy Marin, Leader of the BPF, was on Rise and Shine yesterday where she introduced a new initiative called the “Love Belize Campaign”, which is aimed at raising Patriotic Belizeans.
We spoke to Nancy Marin after the show where she explained the campaign, and the efforts being made to unite the third parties under a single umbrella.
Nancy Marin – Leader of BPF
“We’re trying to encourage Belizeans to love Belize, be more patriotic, participate more, to not sit down and wait to be invited or to be called upon, to stand up and give to Belize what you have to give, your talents, your opinions, your thoughts. Follow the rules. Follow the laws of the country. Pay your taxes. Do things that Belize needs you to do, and not wait.

Belize Business Network promotes Belmopan as Tourism CenterRichard Smith is running next year as an independent candidate in Belmopan for the March 2015 municipal elections.
As a part of his political mandate, he is rounding up Belize entrepreneurs, in an effort to breathe life again into Belmopan businesses, by tapping into the tourism industry.
Today, a handful of Belizean entrepreneurs were invited to an extensive meeting in Belmopan. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a network of information between various businessmen and women in Belmopan- The Belize Business Network. BBN for short.
Richard Smith – Independent Candidate
“Belmopan Business Network is to create a Belmopan Business Awareness. There’s a lot of organisations that are advocating for business, but it is out there for everybody and a lot of small businesses get run over.
For example, if you go to booking.com, if you go to tripadvisor, expedia.com, and type in ‘Belmopan hotels’, it will bring you five hotels at Belmopan and a bunch in San Ignatio, etcetera, under the name of Belmopan.

Government to buy helicopters for military
It has been a dream of the Ministry of National Security and the Belize Defence force for several years and now it is a reality: the people of Belize will now benefit from at least one helicopter to be bought from a leading provider, Bell.
The plan is to buy either two refurbished helicopters for $4...

Belize may take over Hunting Caye construction
Guatemalan company BINARQ was appointed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Southern Command to build the Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye, but after criticism by the Belizean people, the project was suspended.
On Thursday, Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, gave an update on th...

Belmopan Market Vendors are Coming Back Home.
The Tuesday and Friday Market Vendors endured over a year’s worth of inconvenience after the Belmopan City Council, in April 2013, decided to move them from the Civic Center to the Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds to allow for the renovation of the Civic Center.
Stock Revenues went significantly d...

No longer one woman protest; joined by UB students
YaYa Marin Coleman, Belizean Activist advocating for the robust protection of Belize’s borders, has been marching solo every Thursday for the past four weeks.
On Thursday she was joined by a handful of 3rd year students from the University of Belize, enrolled in the Social Work Program.
Social Wor...

COLA asks PUC to delay decision on Energy Proposals
On Thursday, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) issued a statement on the ongoing Requests for Proposals for Energy Generation (RPFEG), facilitated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
COLA calls on the PUC to delay its reported decision, which is to be announced on Friday, in...

Mischievous taxi driver to be sentenced
Next Monday, November 3, 41 year old Kenrick Croft will be given his sentence for committing a mischievous act against a 12 year old female student.
The taxi driver from Double Head Cabbage, Belize District, pleaded guilty on Thursday before Magistrate Stephanie Gillett, and was remanded into custod...

Corozal fisherman caught with undersized conch
Fifty year old Angelito Villamil, a fisherman of Sarteneja, was fined a total of $2,360 on Thursday by Magistrate Albert Hoare, after he pled guilty to the possession of 93 undersized conch.
Mr Villamil was fined $500 plus $20 for each conch, which put the total fine to $2,360.
Angelito Villamil has...

Amandala

Yet another San Pedro cop busted; this time for theftAnother policeman has been arrested and charged by the San Pedro police – for theft; the cop’s comrades took him to court like a common thief.
Police Constable Dean Perez was taken before the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he appeared in front of Magistrate Sherigne Rodriguez on a charge of theft. He was arraigned, after which he was granted bail of $2,000 and ordered to return to court on Friday, December 5, and was ordered to stay away from, and not to interfere with, the complainant.
Police claim that on Sunday morning, October, 5, PC Perez stole $600 and a cellphone valued at $400 from the home of a man, Jose Hernandez, in San Pedro, where he had gone to conduct an investigation.
Inspector Henry Jemott, Deputy Commander of San Pedro police, reported that PC Perez went to Hernandez’s home to conduct an interview to confirm Hernandez’s identity. When Hernandez gave Perez the identification documents that were in his wallet, the constable took the wallet, which also contained $600 cash.

Build yu own base!In the wake of public outcry concerning the employment of a Guatemalan-based construction company, BINARQ, S.A., which was contracted in 2011 to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Hunting Caye – the southernmost point of Belize – for the Belize National Coast Guard (BNCG), the US Army Corps of Engineers, who were funders of the project, gave the Government of Belize (GOB) two choices with regards to the continuation of the suspended project – let the Guatemalan company finish the job, or complete the job yourself.
GOB, who chose the latter option in the name of nationalism and dignity, called a press briefing today at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City to inform the nation of the circumstances, and of their plans in terms of the completion of the FOB, the construction of which has since been halted in the face of public objection, based on Belize and Guatemala’s territorial differences, to the Guatemalan company and laborers chosen to carry out the project.

Pedophile, 45, convicted of carnal knowledge of child, 6A jury of five men and four women deliberated on a carnal knowledge indictment for almost five hours in the jury room of Supreme Court Justice John “Troadio” Gonzalez before returning to the courtroom with a split 7-2 guilty verdict late this afternoon.
On Friday, Justice Gonzalez will sentence Brian Charlesworth, 45, after he has heard from character witnesses in the mitigation part of the case, which began on October 21.
Three witnesses had testified in the case against Charlesworth, which began on November 24, 2011, when the now 45-year-old was first arrested and charged with carnal knowledge of a child who was six years old at the time the incident occurred.

Alleged Hilux thief nabbed; cops searching for mastermindWhat is believed to be a high-end vehicle theft/smuggling ring which was concentrated in the Belmopan area finally has been busted by authorities in that municipality, who have implicated an employee of a prominent car dealership as a functionary in the thievery, while the mastermind, a Belmopan-based mechanic, who is believed to be on the run, is presently being sought by investigators.
Four government-issued Toyota Hilux vehicles went missing without a trace in the past three months, but in the most recent incident, the fifth, which took place last Thursday, October 23, the crooks bungled in their efforts to heist another late model Hilux from the Institute of Archeology’s Belmopan office, and as a result provided an opportunity to Belmopan police, who have been zealously investigating the series of embarrassing thefts, to finally crack the case via the arrest of a key accomplice.
He has been identified as Hector Armando Monterosa, 22, a resident of St. Matthews, Cayo District, who was employed as a maintenance worker at the Belize Diesel and Equipment Company in Belmopan.

BDF to get helicopters for border reconnaissanceSenior personnel from the Ministry of National Security along with Prime Minister Dean Barrow today at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel made the announcement that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) is to get two helicopters to detect and curb illegal incursions into Belize and curtail marijuana cultivation near Belize’s western border, specifically, the beleaguered Chiquibul National Park, which has fallen victim to years of pillaging and desecration by Guatemalans, who ravage the heavily forested area for gold, xate, logwood, exotic animals, etc.
National Security Minister John Saldivar explained that the resolution is the culmination of efforts, research and discussions over the past six years, which have now reached the point of becoming a reality.
Saldivar said, “Since BATSUB was downsized in 1994 and their helicopter support subsequently pulled, the BDF has been faced with serious challenges in carrying out its functions in the remote border regions. This has left the BDF to make repeated submissions for the acquisition of this most needed asset over the years.

PUP Petrocaribe lawsuit “unpatriotic attempt to play politics …” – PM BarrowA team of heavyweight lawyers of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), including Senior Counsels Andrew Marshalleck, Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith, this week filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Belize against Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow, the Government of Belize and Alba Petrocaribe (Belize Energy) Limited, a joint venture company formed by Belize and Venezuela, calling on the court to stop the Barrow administration from spending proceeds of the concessionary financing deal through which Belize has gotten over US$100 million on credit from Venezuela for social programs.
Julius Espat, PUP area representative for Cayo South and chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, told Amandala that the lawsuit was filed by the PUP legal team on Wednesday—an action which the Barrow administration has described as an “unpatriotic attempt to play politics with a breakthrough program that is of vital national financial and developmental importance,” which “in truth has nothing to do with the law.”

Belizean sailors shine in Bart’s Bash RegattaTwenty-eight Belizeans were among 16,780 skippers of all ages, from all over the world, and in all sorts of sailboats participating in the Bart’s Bash, a event that the Guinness Book of World Records accepts as the largest regatta in history, which was held on September 21, 2014 in memory of champion sailor and philanthropist, Andrew “Bart” Simpson, and in support of The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
Although it has taken the regatta’s volunteer committee in the United Kingdom (UK) 5 weeks to compile the results, it proved to be worth the wait for the Belizean skippers who performed commendably, and thus, established a name for themselves within the international sailing community.

Gwen Liz males, females win in 2014 CSSSA Basketball tournamentThe 2014 Central Secondary School Sports Association (CSSSA) Basketball tournament started off today at the Bird’s Isle where Gwen Lizarraga High School (GLHS) went up against Maud Williams High School (MWHS) in both the male and female games.
GLHS blew out MWHS by 23 points in the male game which ended 50-27. GLHS’s top scorers were Rene Myvett (11 pts) and Devantae Middleton (8 pts), while Kenroy McKoy and Selwyn McDonald of MWHS finished the game with 11 and 7 points respectively.
Gwen Liz was also victorious in the girls’ game whereby they outscored Maud Williams High School by three times as much in a game that ended 36-12.

BBBFF Prez responds to accusations by bodybuilderThis morning at the Coastal Zone Management Authority’s conference room on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City, the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation (BBBFF) held a press conference to clear the air regarding assertions which were made by at least two members of the federation, one of whom included two-time Bodybuilding Champion (2013 & 2014) Clinton Tucker.
Last Thursday, October 23, Tucker, who has been a bodybuilder and boxer for over 20 years, told Amandala that he is currently displeased with the way that things are playing out in the sport, and that he wants the BBBF President, Stanley Moody, to step down from his post because, according to Tucker, Moody is not acting in the best interest of the athletes of the BBBF by treating them “unfairly” and “taking them for granted”.
Tucker’s argument is that as bodybuilders, they do a lot of investments and make many sacrifices to develop and tone their muscles and bodies in preparation for the competitions just to realize that the person at the helm of the discipline does not have the love of the sport and its athletes at heart.

Editorial: Respect, HavanaCuba has sent 165 doctors and other medical personnel to West Africa to help fight the spread of the ebola virus, which has overpowered the medical facilities and personnel of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. This is an absolutely extraordinary gesture, because the ebola virus has proven to be so dangerous to those who attempt to comfort and heal ebola patients. Those brave Cubans who have travelled to West Africa are putting their own lives in danger, and the Cuban government may even be endangering the island population.
So extraordinary is this Cuban initiative that the leading newspaper in the United States, the superpower which has been a sworn enemy of the Cuban government for more than fifty years, The New York Times, has felt it necessary to editorialize its praise for Cuba. The United States government, which refused the offer of 1200 Cuban doctors after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans in 2005, has now indicated its willingness to work along with Cuba to fight ebola, and the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, has recognized the magnificence of the Cuban gesture in West Africa.

From the PublisherThere was a period, probably for most of 1971 and 1972, when the UBAD Party was influenced by the Black Panther Party, an organization which had been founded and had its headquarters in Oakland, California, but which had spread to all the major American cities. In fact, the Black Panthers had even spread to the United Kingdom, which was experiencing a serious race problem, and also to the Caribbean, especially Trinidad.
The Black Panther Party gained national and international attention in the late 1960s because they confronted the police forces in American cities in a way the American police had never been confronted before. The Panthers represented a position which was diametrically opposed to the non-violence and willingness to be brutalized which had been characteristic of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the civil rights struggle of the early and middle 1960s. The Black Panthers were armed and committed to self-defence by any means necessary.

Letters: Applauds Clinton and Yaya, calls for Belizean patriotismThe present situation in our country in regard to the strong American influence upon our people is quite alarming. Not only are the Yankees deciding who will build our military base, but they are also influencing our children to think that the American way of life is the best lifestyle.
There is a mentality amongst our Belizean culture and people that whatever the Americans produce and manufacture is of better and superior quality than other similar items that are produced elsewhere. Our youth have provided themselves with an identity based on the way they dress, speak, and behave connected with a strong aspiration to be like the American role models that are displayed on American propaganda.
If a youth is not wearing a Jordan slippers or Nike tennis, then he is not up to time with style. A Belizean youth will more readily relate what is the latest news with Drake and Beyonce than provide an example of Belizean folkloric music. A Belizean adult is more informed with Obama’s policies than he is informed of what is happening around us in Latin America and the Caribbean. We have simply become acquiesced to the American influence.

Letters: VIP requests Integrity Commission informationWe have written several letters to your office over the last five years requesting information that in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act should be public knowledge. To date we have not received any response or acknowledgement from your office.
We respectfully remind you that in accordance with section 6, (1) subject to subsection (2), the Commission shall, not later than 31st March in each year, make a report to the National Assembly of its activities in the preceding year and the report shall be tabled in the National Assembly not later than 31st May of the same year.
Our investigation has shown that the last report of the Integrity Commission, published in the Belize Gazette of 22nd April, 2010, was for a 2008 disclosure of the Hon. Carlos Perdomo. We have spoken with several elected persons who acknowledged receipt of their disclosure packet from out from your office.

New KHMH DMS, Dr. Lisa Johnson, discusses vision for hospitalFor the first time in its 19 years of existence, the medical staff of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) will be managed by a female Director of Medical Services in the person of Dr. Lisa Johnson, who replaces Dr. Adrian Coye, the former Director who was appointed as the new KHMH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) three weeks ago.
Amandala understands that Johnson, who had also applied for the post of CEO, was offered the job as the second most senior staffer at the country’s flagship hospital after a close vote at a meeting of the KHMH board of governors that was held on Friday, October 10, 2014.
Today, she took the opportunity to introduce herself to the public which, according to Johnson, will be served with the utmost empathy at the KHMH while she is in charge as Director.
She said, “Sometimes you get caught up in the moment as you are dealing with patients and you try your very best and I will tell you that most, if not every doctor and nurse, as they are dealing with a patient, and not necessarily a trauma patient but every patient, have a stake in how that patient does, and they are very much engaged, and not only engaged, but are extremely empathetic to the situation that we find our patients in.

Entrepreneur discusses potential economic impact of cohune oil projectBelizean entrepreneur, Rudolph Castillo, has designed a power generation and cohune oil production project, an outline of which has been presented to the Public Utilities Commission in a proposal to supply 30 megawatts of power to the national grid, which was ranked 7th among 37 new projects from 22 companies which hope to make the final cut of designated enterprises that will be chosen to feed 75 megawatts of power (including 15 megawatts from wind and solar sources) into the national grid over the next 10 years.
According to Castillo, owner of Cohune Energy Limited, the cohune palm, of indigenous origin, is resilient and probably the most solid and valuable crop in Belize, and unlike hydro projects, which rely on natural water cycles, it is a potential energy source that is able to withstand hurricane, drought and climate change effects.

After 1 year, still no arrest for brutal murder of Canadian womanToday, exactly one year since she was killed, police still have no leads into the murder of Canada national, Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich, 57, a resident of Consejo Shores, Corozal District, who died after she was stabbed about eight times and her throat was slashed in her Consejo Shores home by a killer or killers who invaded her home between 5:30 and 6:30 Tuesday evening, October 29, 2013.
Nichiporowich’s neighbors told police that they heard screams for help coming from the house, and they became concerned. They began to honk their horns, but saw no one exit the house. They went to see what was happening, but the bottom of the 2-flat concrete house was properly secured with burglar bars, with the only access to the upper part of the building being a stairway, well-secured by a burglar-barred door.

Au Le: Pen Cayetano reflects on 32 years as artist and musicianNovember marks the commemoration of the mass arrival of the Garinagu to Belize in 1823, and cultural icon, Pen Cayetano, 60, is planning two major events to highlight the value of Garifunadüoü – the richness of his culture.
At 3:30 p.m. this Friday, October 31, Cayetano will host Au Le: This is I, an exhibit of 23 oil paintings at the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, located at Mile 2 on George Price Drive in Dangriga.
The artist told Amandala today that he will be showcasing what he has accomplished since he began creating art and music for the country of Belize about 32 years ago, both here in Belize and abroad.
Some of the paintings are historical, such as his paintings featuring boats like the Heron H and OCL which used to transport Belizeans to and from places like Dangriga, Belize City, Placencia and even Guatemala. Cayetano said that there have been no more boats like those since the 60s or 70s.

Chik-V test of possible index patient in Belize sent to CDC in AtlantaBelize has still not been able to confirm via lab tests whether Maria Alvadaro, a Salvadoran woman visiting Las Flores, Belmopan, Belize, who was clinically diagnosed with Chikungunya, actually had the disease.
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, head of the Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health in Belize, told Amandala today that samples from tests which were inconclusive in Belize were sent for further testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the regional referral facility in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, CARPHA notified Belize health officials this evening that they had sent the samples for further testing at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA.

Lab results for possible index case of Chikungunya in Belize still pendingTwo family members in Las Flores, Belmopan, can breathe a sigh of relief after official tests conducted by the Ministry of Health have confirmed that they have not been stricken by Chikungunya (Chik-V), an emerging mosquito-borne disease that first showed up in the Americas in late 2013. The tests conducted by the Ministry of Health confirm that the two women in fact had dengue, although a rapid test conducted at a private lab in Belmopan had showed a positive result for Chikungunya for one of the patients.
This has led Health authorities to underscore the fact that rapid tests done at local labs are unreliable. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Head of Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health, said that these tests have a sensitivity of less than 30%.
The Chikungunya virus has been sickening thousands across Central America and the Caribbean, and Health authorities in Belize say that two persons who traveled to Belize from El Salvador had tested positive there, based on clinical assessments only.

Mayor Bradley having second thoughts about hiring BML workersTwo months after approximately 170 sanitation workers currently employed by the Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) were assured that they would be hired by the Belize City Council (CitCo) when their employer’s contract expires in January 2015, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is seemingly pondering the viability of such a move, citing the substantial financial burden that will fall squarely in the lap of what Bradley described as a Council that would become further strapped for revenue.
In an interview with the media yesterday outside the Belize City Supreme Court where he had been defending a client in his role as attorney, Bradley admitted his concern that taking on all those employees will unsustainably flood the Council’s workforce and excessively increase its expenditure.
He said, “One of the biggest things that is concerning me is working very closely with the transition to the new regime after BML’s contract is expired, and I think that that is something that should cause members of the public some concern because it’s causing me some concern, to find out how we will incorporate 170 people into our system.

The Reporter

Garifuna Collective entertains crowd at tribute to Paul Nabor on Friday nightThe Garifuna Collective was one of a number of bands entertaining the crowd gathered at the Punta Gorda Sports Auditorium for a tribute to the late Paul Nabor at this hour.
The tribute preceeds the funeral on Saturday for Belize’s greatest parandero who died after he suffered a stroke in the latter part of October.

Uruguay starts registration of marijuana clubsUruguay has started registering cannabis growers’ clubs as part of the government’s plan to legalise the drug.
Uruguay has started registering cannabis growers’ clubs as part of the government’s plan to legalise the drug.
Licensed clubs of up to 45 members will be allowed to grow a maximum of 99 plants each year.
In August, growing up to six plants of cannabis at home became legal.
Uruguay legalised the production and sale of cannabis last December and the government hopes to sell it from pharmacies in the new year.
The new law allowed citizens and legal residents of Uruguay to register to legally grow marijuana at home, with a limit of six plants per home and 480 grams per year.

Special Envoy leads Belizean Delegation at regional teenage pregnancy summitBelize’s Special Envoy for Women and children Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, led the Belizean delegation to the first Summit of Wives of Heads of State Governing and Governors of the Central American Integration Systems.
The SEWC also spoke at the conference which was held in Tegucigalpa Honduras on Thursday, October 23 under the theme “Partnership for the prevention and action in the light of the pregnancy in adolescence.”
The summit, hosted by the First Lady of Honduras in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, was geared towards giving priority to teenage pregnancy and related issues on the agenda of the Wives of the Heads of SICA Governments.

Patrick Jones

Why GOB owes compensation to family of Danny ConorquieOn Thursday Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed that an offer to the family of late Special Constable Danny Conorquie has been made and is being offered.
The exact figure is not known but we are told it is on the low end of six figures, and takes into account his youth, both in age and status with the Police Department, future potential earnings and heroic nature of death. Today we spoke with attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley who reminds that this is no benevolent gesture like that offered to a Guatemalan family after their patriarch died – it is a tacit acknowledgment of the Government’s negligence of security procedure at his workplace, the Caracol Archaeological Site that caused the conditions leading to his death.

Steven Buckley compensation waits on criminal trial verdictEarlier this week we featured the story of Steven Buckley, the construction worker shot in the head by a senior police officer during a vehicle stop on Kraal Road in April of 2010.
The officer, 46 year old Inspector of Police Dennis Lopez, faces charges of attempted murder and grievous harm of Buckley, aggravated assault of two companions Marlon Myers and Alfonso Juarez and dangerous harm.
Buckley, along with three other companions, was traveling in a vehicle belonging to his employer when they were pulled over by police on mobile patrol.
What should have been a routine stop and search ended with Buckley’s shooting and the Police Department coming under increasing criticism for use of excessive force.

Convicted pedophile given twenty years in prisonA spotted record with previous convictions for carnal knowledge and indecent assault led to a 20 year prison term for 45 year old Brian Charlesworth, convicted this week of carnal knowledge.
It is his second time following a conviction in 2001 for which he given a 12 year prison sentence.
Charlesworth is also serving a three year sentence for indecent assault following a conviction last year.
The current case concerns a six year old female child who was assaulted by Charlesworth between January and October of 2011.
A jury voted 7-2 in favour of conviction on Monday.

Paul Nabor’s body taken to his home for a “wake”A small crowd, including Garifuna drummers and a police escort accompanied the casket carrying the body of Paranda King Paul Nabor from the morgue at the Punta Gorda town hospital this afternoon, to the fallen icon’s home.
The afternoon rain did not stop residents of the town from stopping to see the procession along the main streets.
A wake will be held tonight and an official funeral on Saturday, November 1 at the St. Peter Claver Church will mark a final send off for the Nabor.

Yellow Ginger fest underway in Punta GordaA first of its kind Yellow Ginger Fest is being held today in Punta Gorda town.
The event is organized by the East Indian Council in collaboration with the National Institute for Culture and History and coordinated by Lourdes Coleman. According to Coleman, today’s Yellow Ginger Fest is part of a series of activities held at the end of every month to promote the East Indian culture and history.
Among the highlights of today’s event are cultural performances, displays and speeches by community leaders.
Of course traditional East Indian food such as Tacari Conch, beef liver Tacari will be on sale during the Yellow Ginger Fest.

It’s in You to Give San PedroI got a call from a friend late Friday afternoon that we had a blood emergency on our hands. One of their dear friends had gone into liver failure, had been flown to Belize Health Care Partners hospital in Belize City and was in need of 5 pints of blood asap. He wanted to know what to do – how could they get her blood? If need be, he was ready to find five people to head to the city to donate.
I assured him that we had at least 80 pints in our reserve and, since she was an island resident, she was eligible for some of that blood. After getting her details down, I immediately got on the phone and started calling all of our board members who were eligible to sign off on blood. None of them were at their desk to do the paperwork and one did not answer their phone. I quickly sent out an email with all of the info so that the paperwork could be done by the first person who got to the form. Up till now all our blood requests had been in advance for planned surgeries and not an emergency so this was a good but intense learning experience for everyone.

Wine & Food Industry Event At Banyan Bay Misses a Serious Melon OpportunityYesterday evening, Madisco held a wine & food sampling event at Banyan Bay Resort in San Pedro. Madisco is mainly a food & beverage distribution company for stores and restaurants and part of a much larger group – The Roe Group of Belize. The group, I just discovered, owns a huge number of companies in Belize from insurance to hotels – take a look.
Madisco did an event in Placencia at Robert’s Grove a few weeks ago – and I (a little randomly) attended that one. So when my friend Chef Sean (of the Sittee River Curve Bar & Restaurant) let me know they’d be in San Pedro last night? I thought I’d attend again.
Sure technically this was an “industry event” – for actual customers of Madisco who received actual invitations – but…what the heck. I’m the…media?
And I’m all about the carved watermelons.

Four Reasons Belize Is A Top Destination For RetireesWhen looking to retire in style, you should consider Belize as it offers a host of benefits to the average person. In fact, Belize is quickly growing in popularity as more and more retirees are checking out this top destination.
Here are four reasons why Belize is a top destination for retirees. A better way of living: In Western nations, people often place a lot of their time and effort into making more money. While it’s understandable in some ways, not everyone in the world is all about making cash. Yes, in Belize, people actually take the time to enjoy life, check out the Maya sites and spend time with family. For this reason, if you are looking to retire and enjoy a slower pace of life, you should seriously consider Belize as you can sit back, relax and enjoy time with family and friends, all at your own pace.

International Sources

St. Simon’s in Oakville reaches out to students in BelizeOakville’s St. Simon’s Anglican Church hopes residents will bring their appetites to its annual spaghetti dinner Saturday (Nov. 1) to help raise funds for its next missionary trip.
The local parish is hosting the dinner in support of its fourth trip to Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, Belize in July 2015.
Every other summer, the parish’s youth team, accompanied by adults, leads an expedition to Holy Cross to lend a helping hand. The team previously visited Belize in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
“We believe in helping our neighbours. It doesn’t matter if it’s your neighbour next door or if it’s somebody who’s thousands of kilometres away. We should all be helping when we can, and who we can,” said Robyn Michell, church youth leader.

A Passport to Guatemala’s Mayan PastStarting around 1500 B.C., the Maya established one of the dominant civilizations in Mesoamerica. At its height, the empire stretched from southern Mexico to parts of Honduras and El Salvador, with its center in present-day Guatemala. Skilled at agriculture, astronomy and mathematics, the Maya built stepped stone temples, palaces, cities that held tens of thousands of residents. But for reasons that are not understood, their civilization went into decline even before Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century; urban centers were abandoned to the jungle and many traditions vanished.
Our guide, Manuel, described Tikal’s history along the way—its wars with rival communities like Caracol in Belize and Calakmul in Mexico, and its rulers with fanciful names like Ah Cacao. The Maya built an incredibly advanced civilization, but some of their customs were chilling; bloodletting and human sacrifice played an important role in their rituals, the guide told us. He avoided the main paths, instead taking us on circuitous trails through the jungle so he could save some key areas, such as the ceremonial center known as the Gran Plaza, for last. He knew the best vantage points and showed us countless mounds that remained unexcavated. We spotted monkeys, bats, a huge ant colony and various exotic plants; Manuel had seen jaguars on previous visits, but we had no such luck.

From motmots to tomtits: discover the world’s best birdwatchingI’ve been to Panama twice and plan to go to the Darien region next time. I’ve also been to Ecuador twice – including the Galapagos Islands – and there are still more areas to discover. Southeast Arizona is also fantastic. I’ll also be visiting the Everglades next month and returning to Belize in Spring – it’s not only very birdie: I’ll be doing some scuba diving as well. @MsBoice
The wonderful Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Had a great time watching some fledgling owls deal with their “first steps” and their empty-nester mother – from about three meters away. @FollowsummerGG

Consumers and retailers urged to stick with Fairtrade sugar as poorest farmers face crisisThe Fairtrade Foundation is calling on UK consumers and businesses to continue buying Fairtrade cane sugar, even if the recent crash in sugar prices within the EU means they could save a couple of pence a bag by switching to non-Fairtrade.
The not-for-profit organisation says that the price crash puts the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of sugar cane farmers and workers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries at risk, and is the first sign of a crisis that could push 200,000 people into poverty. Fairtrade will also be contacting Neven Mimica, who is due to take office as EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development within the next few days, to alert him to the crisis and urge him not to turn his back on sugar cane farmers and communities across the former Commonwealth and other developing nations, to whom the UK has historic obligations.
The dramatic drop in sugar prices took place after the European Commission released additional supplies of domestically-produced beet sugar onto the European market, and after it was confirmed that from 2017, a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will end the limit on the amount of domestically-produced beet sugar that can be sold in the EU. There have also been anecdotal reports that large EU sugar companies have been aggressively targeting the UK market.

Video: coastal highway Belize, 3min.Belize's deadliest road. Watch us tackle Coastal Highway Belize. Why it's called Coastal Highway we don't understand. It not near the coast and it certainly is not road you can travel at highway speeds. We made it, but don't advise you do it. Only experienced 4x4 drivers need apply.
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PlusTV

Ministry of Health says tests confirm Chikungunya in Las FloresPlus News broke the story early last week that preliminary Chikungunya tests taken by at least two Las Flores Belmopan residents were positive.
The Ministry of Health has only today, issued a press release confirming PlusNews’ story.
According to the release, “The Ministry of Health can at this time share preliminary results on samples taken during an active Chikungunya surveillance investigation done in the Las Flores area of Belmopan. Today, The Central Medical Laboratory confirmed three positive IgM antibody tests for Chikungunya from samples collected early last week as a consequence of an investigation of a suspected case of Chikungunya from the Las Flores community. These three positive IgM samples along with another sample will be sent next week Monday for further testing and confirmation by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Laboratory in Trinidad.”

Convicted child molester given twenty years in prisonA spotted record with previous convictions for carnal knowledge and indecent assault led to a 20 year prison term for 45 year old Brian Charlesworth, convicted this week of carnal knowledge.
It is his second time following a conviction in 2001, for which he was given a 12 year prison sentence.
Brian Charlesworth is also serving a three year sentence for indecent assault following a conviction last year.
The current case concerns a six year old female child who was assaulted by Charlesworth between January and October of 2011.
A jury voted 7-2 in favour of conviction on Monday.

Arrests made for Belize City robbery20 year old Burton Claire, 18 year old Kyle Carter, and Jareem Claire were arrested in connection to a robbery.
A 19 year old Chinese student, reported that on the evening of Thursday October 30, while at the family shop namely Guan Fa Shop located in Belama Phase III, Belize City, three dark complexion men entered the establishment, one of whom pointed a chrome revolver at them and demanded money. The other man went behind the counter and took all the cash from the cash register and escaped.

Belize People’s Front launches “Love Belize Campaign”Every Political Party and third party is rounding up their supporters for the upcoming municipal elections, which are to take place in less than 5 months.
But the Belize People’s Front says they are saving their efforts for the big race in 2017.
Nancy Marin, Leader of the BPF, was on Rise and Shine yesterday where she introduced a new initiative called the “Love Belize Campaign”, which is aimed at raising Patriotic Belizeans.
We spoke to Nancy Marin after the show where she explained the campaign, and the efforts being made to unite the third parties under a single umbrella.
Nancy Marin – Leader of BPF
“We’re trying to encourage Belizeans to love Belize, be more patriotic, participate more, to not sit down and wait to be invited or to be called upon, to stand up and give to Belize what you have to give, your talents, your opinions, your thoughts. Follow the rules. Follow the laws of the country. Pay your taxes. Do things that Belize needs you to do, and not wait.

Belize Business Network promotes Belmopan as Tourism CenterRichard Smith is running next year as an independent candidate in Belmopan for the March 2015 municipal elections.
As a part of his political mandate, he is rounding up Belize entrepreneurs, in an effort to breathe life again into Belmopan businesses, by tapping into the tourism industry.
Today, a handful of Belizean entrepreneurs were invited to an extensive meeting in Belmopan. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a network of information between various businessmen and women in Belmopan- The Belize Business Network. BBN for short.
Richard Smith – Independent Candidate
“Belmopan Business Network is to create a Belmopan Business Awareness. There’s a lot of organisations that are advocating for business, but it is out there for everybody and a lot of small businesses get run over.
For example, if you go to booking.com, if you go to tripadvisor, expedia.com, and type in ‘Belmopan hotels’, it will bring you five hotels at Belmopan and a bunch in San Ignatio, etcetera, under the name of Belmopan.

Government to buy helicopters for military
It has been a dream of the Ministry of National Security and the Belize Defence force for several years and now it is a reality: the people of Belize will now benefit from at least one helicopter to be bought from a leading provider, Bell.
The plan is to buy either two refurbished helicopters for $4...

Belize may take over Hunting Caye construction
Guatemalan company BINARQ was appointed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Southern Command to build the Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye, but after criticism by the Belizean people, the project was suspended.
On Thursday, Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, gave an update on th...

Belmopan Market Vendors are Coming Back Home.
The Tuesday and Friday Market Vendors endured over a year’s worth of inconvenience after the Belmopan City Council, in April 2013, decided to move them from the Civic Center to the Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds to allow for the renovation of the Civic Center.
Stock Revenues went significantly d...

No longer one woman protest; joined by UB students
YaYa Marin Coleman, Belizean Activist advocating for the robust protection of Belize’s borders, has been marching solo every Thursday for the past four weeks.
On Thursday she was joined by a handful of 3rd year students from the University of Belize, enrolled in the Social Work Program.
Social Wor...

COLA asks PUC to delay decision on Energy Proposals
On Thursday, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) issued a statement on the ongoing Requests for Proposals for Energy Generation (RPFEG), facilitated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
COLA calls on the PUC to delay its reported decision, which is to be announced on Friday, in...

Mischievous taxi driver to be sentenced
Next Monday, November 3, 41 year old Kenrick Croft will be given his sentence for committing a mischievous act against a 12 year old female student.
The taxi driver from Double Head Cabbage, Belize District, pleaded guilty on Thursday before Magistrate Stephanie Gillett, and was remanded into custod...

Corozal fisherman caught with undersized conch
Fifty year old Angelito Villamil, a fisherman of Sarteneja, was fined a total of $2,360 on Thursday by Magistrate Albert Hoare, after he pled guilty to the possession of 93 undersized conch.
Mr Villamil was fined $500 plus $20 for each conch, which put the total fine to $2,360.
Angelito Villamil has...

Amandala

Yet another San Pedro cop busted; this time for theftAnother policeman has been arrested and charged by the San Pedro police – for theft; the cop’s comrades took him to court like a common thief.
Police Constable Dean Perez was taken before the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he appeared in front of Magistrate Sherigne Rodriguez on a charge of theft. He was arraigned, after which he was granted bail of $2,000 and ordered to return to court on Friday, December 5, and was ordered to stay away from, and not to interfere with, the complainant.
Police claim that on Sunday morning, October, 5, PC Perez stole $600 and a cellphone valued at $400 from the home of a man, Jose Hernandez, in San Pedro, where he had gone to conduct an investigation.
Inspector Henry Jemott, Deputy Commander of San Pedro police, reported that PC Perez went to Hernandez’s home to conduct an interview to confirm Hernandez’s identity. When Hernandez gave Perez the identification documents that were in his wallet, the constable took the wallet, which also contained $600 cash.

Build yu own base!In the wake of public outcry concerning the employment of a Guatemalan-based construction company, BINARQ, S.A., which was contracted in 2011 to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Hunting Caye – the southernmost point of Belize – for the Belize National Coast Guard (BNCG), the US Army Corps of Engineers, who were funders of the project, gave the Government of Belize (GOB) two choices with regards to the continuation of the suspended project – let the Guatemalan company finish the job, or complete the job yourself.
GOB, who chose the latter option in the name of nationalism and dignity, called a press briefing today at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City to inform the nation of the circumstances, and of their plans in terms of the completion of the FOB, the construction of which has since been halted in the face of public objection, based on Belize and Guatemala’s territorial differences, to the Guatemalan company and laborers chosen to carry out the project.

Pedophile, 45, convicted of carnal knowledge of child, 6A jury of five men and four women deliberated on a carnal knowledge indictment for almost five hours in the jury room of Supreme Court Justice John “Troadio” Gonzalez before returning to the courtroom with a split 7-2 guilty verdict late this afternoon.
On Friday, Justice Gonzalez will sentence Brian Charlesworth, 45, after he has heard from character witnesses in the mitigation part of the case, which began on October 21.
Three witnesses had testified in the case against Charlesworth, which began on November 24, 2011, when the now 45-year-old was first arrested and charged with carnal knowledge of a child who was six years old at the time the incident occurred.

Alleged Hilux thief nabbed; cops searching for mastermindWhat is believed to be a high-end vehicle theft/smuggling ring which was concentrated in the Belmopan area finally has been busted by authorities in that municipality, who have implicated an employee of a prominent car dealership as a functionary in the thievery, while the mastermind, a Belmopan-based mechanic, who is believed to be on the run, is presently being sought by investigators.
Four government-issued Toyota Hilux vehicles went missing without a trace in the past three months, but in the most recent incident, the fifth, which took place last Thursday, October 23, the crooks bungled in their efforts to heist another late model Hilux from the Institute of Archeology’s Belmopan office, and as a result provided an opportunity to Belmopan police, who have been zealously investigating the series of embarrassing thefts, to finally crack the case via the arrest of a key accomplice.
He has been identified as Hector Armando Monterosa, 22, a resident of St. Matthews, Cayo District, who was employed as a maintenance worker at the Belize Diesel and Equipment Company in Belmopan.

BDF to get helicopters for border reconnaissanceSenior personnel from the Ministry of National Security along with Prime Minister Dean Barrow today at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel made the announcement that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) is to get two helicopters to detect and curb illegal incursions into Belize and curtail marijuana cultivation near Belize’s western border, specifically, the beleaguered Chiquibul National Park, which has fallen victim to years of pillaging and desecration by Guatemalans, who ravage the heavily forested area for gold, xate, logwood, exotic animals, etc.
National Security Minister John Saldivar explained that the resolution is the culmination of efforts, research and discussions over the past six years, which have now reached the point of becoming a reality.
Saldivar said, “Since BATSUB was downsized in 1994 and their helicopter support subsequently pulled, the BDF has been faced with serious challenges in carrying out its functions in the remote border regions. This has left the BDF to make repeated submissions for the acquisition of this most needed asset over the years.

PUP Petrocaribe lawsuit “unpatriotic attempt to play politics …” – PM BarrowA team of heavyweight lawyers of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), including Senior Counsels Andrew Marshalleck, Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith, this week filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Belize against Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow, the Government of Belize and Alba Petrocaribe (Belize Energy) Limited, a joint venture company formed by Belize and Venezuela, calling on the court to stop the Barrow administration from spending proceeds of the concessionary financing deal through which Belize has gotten over US$100 million on credit from Venezuela for social programs.
Julius Espat, PUP area representative for Cayo South and chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, told Amandala that the lawsuit was filed by the PUP legal team on Wednesday—an action which the Barrow administration has described as an “unpatriotic attempt to play politics with a breakthrough program that is of vital national financial and developmental importance,” which “in truth has nothing to do with the law.”

Belizean sailors shine in Bart’s Bash RegattaTwenty-eight Belizeans were among 16,780 skippers of all ages, from all over the world, and in all sorts of sailboats participating in the Bart’s Bash, a event that the Guinness Book of World Records accepts as the largest regatta in history, which was held on September 21, 2014 in memory of champion sailor and philanthropist, Andrew “Bart” Simpson, and in support of The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
Although it has taken the regatta’s volunteer committee in the United Kingdom (UK) 5 weeks to compile the results, it proved to be worth the wait for the Belizean skippers who performed commendably, and thus, established a name for themselves within the international sailing community.

Gwen Liz males, females win in 2014 CSSSA Basketball tournamentThe 2014 Central Secondary School Sports Association (CSSSA) Basketball tournament started off today at the Bird’s Isle where Gwen Lizarraga High School (GLHS) went up against Maud Williams High School (MWHS) in both the male and female games.
GLHS blew out MWHS by 23 points in the male game which ended 50-27. GLHS’s top scorers were Rene Myvett (11 pts) and Devantae Middleton (8 pts), while Kenroy McKoy and Selwyn McDonald of MWHS finished the game with 11 and 7 points respectively.
Gwen Liz was also victorious in the girls’ game whereby they outscored Maud Williams High School by three times as much in a game that ended 36-12.

BBBFF Prez responds to accusations by bodybuilderThis morning at the Coastal Zone Management Authority’s conference room on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City, the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation (BBBFF) held a press conference to clear the air regarding assertions which were made by at least two members of the federation, one of whom included two-time Bodybuilding Champion (2013 & 2014) Clinton Tucker.
Last Thursday, October 23, Tucker, who has been a bodybuilder and boxer for over 20 years, told Amandala that he is currently displeased with the way that things are playing out in the sport, and that he wants the BBBF President, Stanley Moody, to step down from his post because, according to Tucker, Moody is not acting in the best interest of the athletes of the BBBF by treating them “unfairly” and “taking them for granted”.
Tucker’s argument is that as bodybuilders, they do a lot of investments and make many sacrifices to develop and tone their muscles and bodies in preparation for the competitions just to realize that the person at the helm of the discipline does not have the love of the sport and its athletes at heart.

Editorial: Respect, HavanaCuba has sent 165 doctors and other medical personnel to West Africa to help fight the spread of the ebola virus, which has overpowered the medical facilities and personnel of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. This is an absolutely extraordinary gesture, because the ebola virus has proven to be so dangerous to those who attempt to comfort and heal ebola patients. Those brave Cubans who have travelled to West Africa are putting their own lives in danger, and the Cuban government may even be endangering the island population.
So extraordinary is this Cuban initiative that the leading newspaper in the United States, the superpower which has been a sworn enemy of the Cuban government for more than fifty years, The New York Times, has felt it necessary to editorialize its praise for Cuba. The United States government, which refused the offer of 1200 Cuban doctors after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans in 2005, has now indicated its willingness to work along with Cuba to fight ebola, and the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, has recognized the magnificence of the Cuban gesture in West Africa.

From the PublisherThere was a period, probably for most of 1971 and 1972, when the UBAD Party was influenced by the Black Panther Party, an organization which had been founded and had its headquarters in Oakland, California, but which had spread to all the major American cities. In fact, the Black Panthers had even spread to the United Kingdom, which was experiencing a serious race problem, and also to the Caribbean, especially Trinidad.
The Black Panther Party gained national and international attention in the late 1960s because they confronted the police forces in American cities in a way the American police had never been confronted before. The Panthers represented a position which was diametrically opposed to the non-violence and willingness to be brutalized which had been characteristic of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the civil rights struggle of the early and middle 1960s. The Black Panthers were armed and committed to self-defence by any means necessary.

Letters: Applauds Clinton and Yaya, calls for Belizean patriotismThe present situation in our country in regard to the strong American influence upon our people is quite alarming. Not only are the Yankees deciding who will build our military base, but they are also influencing our children to think that the American way of life is the best lifestyle.
There is a mentality amongst our Belizean culture and people that whatever the Americans produce and manufacture is of better and superior quality than other similar items that are produced elsewhere. Our youth have provided themselves with an identity based on the way they dress, speak, and behave connected with a strong aspiration to be like the American role models that are displayed on American propaganda.
If a youth is not wearing a Jordan slippers or Nike tennis, then he is not up to time with style. A Belizean youth will more readily relate what is the latest news with Drake and Beyonce than provide an example of Belizean folkloric music. A Belizean adult is more informed with Obama’s policies than he is informed of what is happening around us in Latin America and the Caribbean. We have simply become acquiesced to the American influence.

Letters: VIP requests Integrity Commission informationWe have written several letters to your office over the last five years requesting information that in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act should be public knowledge. To date we have not received any response or acknowledgement from your office.
We respectfully remind you that in accordance with section 6, (1) subject to subsection (2), the Commission shall, not later than 31st March in each year, make a report to the National Assembly of its activities in the preceding year and the report shall be tabled in the National Assembly not later than 31st May of the same year.
Our investigation has shown that the last report of the Integrity Commission, published in the Belize Gazette of 22nd April, 2010, was for a 2008 disclosure of the Hon. Carlos Perdomo. We have spoken with several elected persons who acknowledged receipt of their disclosure packet from out from your office.

New KHMH DMS, Dr. Lisa Johnson, discusses vision for hospitalFor the first time in its 19 years of existence, the medical staff of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) will be managed by a female Director of Medical Services in the person of Dr. Lisa Johnson, who replaces Dr. Adrian Coye, the former Director who was appointed as the new KHMH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) three weeks ago.
Amandala understands that Johnson, who had also applied for the post of CEO, was offered the job as the second most senior staffer at the country’s flagship hospital after a close vote at a meeting of the KHMH board of governors that was held on Friday, October 10, 2014.
Today, she took the opportunity to introduce herself to the public which, according to Johnson, will be served with the utmost empathy at the KHMH while she is in charge as Director.
She said, “Sometimes you get caught up in the moment as you are dealing with patients and you try your very best and I will tell you that most, if not every doctor and nurse, as they are dealing with a patient, and not necessarily a trauma patient but every patient, have a stake in how that patient does, and they are very much engaged, and not only engaged, but are extremely empathetic to the situation that we find our patients in.

Entrepreneur discusses potential economic impact of cohune oil projectBelizean entrepreneur, Rudolph Castillo, has designed a power generation and cohune oil production project, an outline of which has been presented to the Public Utilities Commission in a proposal to supply 30 megawatts of power to the national grid, which was ranked 7th among 37 new projects from 22 companies which hope to make the final cut of designated enterprises that will be chosen to feed 75 megawatts of power (including 15 megawatts from wind and solar sources) into the national grid over the next 10 years.
According to Castillo, owner of Cohune Energy Limited, the cohune palm, of indigenous origin, is resilient and probably the most solid and valuable crop in Belize, and unlike hydro projects, which rely on natural water cycles, it is a potential energy source that is able to withstand hurricane, drought and climate change effects.

After 1 year, still no arrest for brutal murder of Canadian womanToday, exactly one year since she was killed, police still have no leads into the murder of Canada national, Patricia Lynn Nichiporowich, 57, a resident of Consejo Shores, Corozal District, who died after she was stabbed about eight times and her throat was slashed in her Consejo Shores home by a killer or killers who invaded her home between 5:30 and 6:30 Tuesday evening, October 29, 2013.
Nichiporowich’s neighbors told police that they heard screams for help coming from the house, and they became concerned. They began to honk their horns, but saw no one exit the house. They went to see what was happening, but the bottom of the 2-flat concrete house was properly secured with burglar bars, with the only access to the upper part of the building being a stairway, well-secured by a burglar-barred door.

Au Le: Pen Cayetano reflects on 32 years as artist and musicianNovember marks the commemoration of the mass arrival of the Garinagu to Belize in 1823, and cultural icon, Pen Cayetano, 60, is planning two major events to highlight the value of Garifunadüoü – the richness of his culture.
At 3:30 p.m. this Friday, October 31, Cayetano will host Au Le: This is I, an exhibit of 23 oil paintings at the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, located at Mile 2 on George Price Drive in Dangriga.
The artist told Amandala today that he will be showcasing what he has accomplished since he began creating art and music for the country of Belize about 32 years ago, both here in Belize and abroad.
Some of the paintings are historical, such as his paintings featuring boats like the Heron H and OCL which used to transport Belizeans to and from places like Dangriga, Belize City, Placencia and even Guatemala. Cayetano said that there have been no more boats like those since the 60s or 70s.

Chik-V test of possible index patient in Belize sent to CDC in AtlantaBelize has still not been able to confirm via lab tests whether Maria Alvadaro, a Salvadoran woman visiting Las Flores, Belmopan, Belize, who was clinically diagnosed with Chikungunya, actually had the disease.
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, head of the Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health in Belize, told Amandala today that samples from tests which were inconclusive in Belize were sent for further testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the regional referral facility in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, CARPHA notified Belize health officials this evening that they had sent the samples for further testing at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA.

Lab results for possible index case of Chikungunya in Belize still pendingTwo family members in Las Flores, Belmopan, can breathe a sigh of relief after official tests conducted by the Ministry of Health have confirmed that they have not been stricken by Chikungunya (Chik-V), an emerging mosquito-borne disease that first showed up in the Americas in late 2013. The tests conducted by the Ministry of Health confirm that the two women in fact had dengue, although a rapid test conducted at a private lab in Belmopan had showed a positive result for Chikungunya for one of the patients.
This has led Health authorities to underscore the fact that rapid tests done at local labs are unreliable. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Head of Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health, said that these tests have a sensitivity of less than 30%.
The Chikungunya virus has been sickening thousands across Central America and the Caribbean, and Health authorities in Belize say that two persons who traveled to Belize from El Salvador had tested positive there, based on clinical assessments only.

Mayor Bradley having second thoughts about hiring BML workersTwo months after approximately 170 sanitation workers currently employed by the Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) were assured that they would be hired by the Belize City Council (CitCo) when their employer’s contract expires in January 2015, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is seemingly pondering the viability of such a move, citing the substantial financial burden that will fall squarely in the lap of what Bradley described as a Council that would become further strapped for revenue.
In an interview with the media yesterday outside the Belize City Supreme Court where he had been defending a client in his role as attorney, Bradley admitted his concern that taking on all those employees will unsustainably flood the Council’s workforce and excessively increase its expenditure.
He said, “One of the biggest things that is concerning me is working very closely with the transition to the new regime after BML’s contract is expired, and I think that that is something that should cause members of the public some concern because it’s causing me some concern, to find out how we will incorporate 170 people into our system.

The Reporter

Garifuna Collective entertains crowd at tribute to Paul Nabor on Friday nightThe Garifuna Collective was one of a number of bands entertaining the crowd gathered at the Punta Gorda Sports Auditorium for a tribute to the late Paul Nabor at this hour.
The tribute preceeds the funeral on Saturday for Belize’s greatest parandero who died after he suffered a stroke in the latter part of October.

Uruguay starts registration of marijuana clubsUruguay has started registering cannabis growers’ clubs as part of the government’s plan to legalise the drug.
Uruguay has started registering cannabis growers’ clubs as part of the government’s plan to legalise the drug.
Licensed clubs of up to 45 members will be allowed to grow a maximum of 99 plants each year.
In August, growing up to six plants of cannabis at home became legal.
Uruguay legalised the production and sale of cannabis last December and the government hopes to sell it from pharmacies in the new year.
The new law allowed citizens and legal residents of Uruguay to register to legally grow marijuana at home, with a limit of six plants per home and 480 grams per year.

Special Envoy leads Belizean Delegation at regional teenage pregnancy summitBelize’s Special Envoy for Women and children Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, led the Belizean delegation to the first Summit of Wives of Heads of State Governing and Governors of the Central American Integration Systems.
The SEWC also spoke at the conference which was held in Tegucigalpa Honduras on Thursday, October 23 under the theme “Partnership for the prevention and action in the light of the pregnancy in adolescence.”
The summit, hosted by the First Lady of Honduras in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, was geared towards giving priority to teenage pregnancy and related issues on the agenda of the Wives of the Heads of SICA Governments.

Patrick Jones

Why GOB owes compensation to family of Danny ConorquieOn Thursday Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed that an offer to the family of late Special Constable Danny Conorquie has been made and is being offered.
The exact figure is not known but we are told it is on the low end of six figures, and takes into account his youth, both in age and status with the Police Department, future potential earnings and heroic nature of death. Today we spoke with attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley who reminds that this is no benevolent gesture like that offered to a Guatemalan family after their patriarch died – it is a tacit acknowledgment of the Government’s negligence of security procedure at his workplace, the Caracol Archaeological Site that caused the conditions leading to his death.

Steven Buckley compensation waits on criminal trial verdictEarlier this week we featured the story of Steven Buckley, the construction worker shot in the head by a senior police officer during a vehicle stop on Kraal Road in April of 2010.
The officer, 46 year old Inspector of Police Dennis Lopez, faces charges of attempted murder and grievous harm of Buckley, aggravated assault of two companions Marlon Myers and Alfonso Juarez and dangerous harm.
Buckley, along with three other companions, was traveling in a vehicle belonging to his employer when they were pulled over by police on mobile patrol.
What should have been a routine stop and search ended with Buckley’s shooting and the Police Department coming under increasing criticism for use of excessive force.

Convicted pedophile given twenty years in prisonA spotted record with previous convictions for carnal knowledge and indecent assault led to a 20 year prison term for 45 year old Brian Charlesworth, convicted this week of carnal knowledge.
It is his second time following a conviction in 2001 for which he given a 12 year prison sentence.
Charlesworth is also serving a three year sentence for indecent assault following a conviction last year.
The current case concerns a six year old female child who was assaulted by Charlesworth between January and October of 2011.
A jury voted 7-2 in favour of conviction on Monday.

Paul Nabor’s body taken to his home for a “wake”A small crowd, including Garifuna drummers and a police escort accompanied the casket carrying the body of Paranda King Paul Nabor from the morgue at the Punta Gorda town hospital this afternoon, to the fallen icon’s home.
The afternoon rain did not stop residents of the town from stopping to see the procession along the main streets.
A wake will be held tonight and an official funeral on Saturday, November 1 at the St. Peter Claver Church will mark a final send off for the Nabor.

Yellow Ginger fest underway in Punta GordaA first of its kind Yellow Ginger Fest is being held today in Punta Gorda town.
The event is organized by the East Indian Council in collaboration with the National Institute for Culture and History and coordinated by Lourdes Coleman. According to Coleman, today’s Yellow Ginger Fest is part of a series of activities held at the end of every month to promote the East Indian culture and history.
Among the highlights of today’s event are cultural performances, displays and speeches by community leaders.
Of course traditional East Indian food such as Tacari Conch, beef liver Tacari will be on sale during the Yellow Ginger Fest.

It’s in You to Give San PedroI got a call from a friend late Friday afternoon that we had a blood emergency on our hands. One of their dear friends had gone into liver failure, had been flown to Belize Health Care Partners hospital in Belize City and was in need of 5 pints of blood asap. He wanted to know what to do – how could they get her blood? If need be, he was ready to find five people to head to the city to donate.
I assured him that we had at least 80 pints in our reserve and, since she was an island resident, she was eligible for some of that blood. After getting her details down, I immediately got on the phone and started calling all of our board members who were eligible to sign off on blood. None of them were at their desk to do the paperwork and one did not answer their phone. I quickly sent out an email with all of the info so that the paperwork could be done by the first person who got to the form. Up till now all our blood requests had been in advance for planned surgeries and not an emergency so this was a good but intense learning experience for everyone.

Wine & Food Industry Event At Banyan Bay Misses a Serious Melon OpportunityYesterday evening, Madisco held a wine & food sampling event at Banyan Bay Resort in San Pedro. Madisco is mainly a food & beverage distribution company for stores and restaurants and part of a much larger group – The Roe Group of Belize. The group, I just discovered, owns a huge number of companies in Belize from insurance to hotels – take a look.
Madisco did an event in Placencia at Robert’s Grove a few weeks ago – and I (a little randomly) attended that one. So when my friend Chef Sean (of the Sittee River Curve Bar & Restaurant) let me know they’d be in San Pedro last night? I thought I’d attend again.
Sure technically this was an “industry event” – for actual customers of Madisco who received actual invitations – but…what the heck. I’m the…media?
And I’m all about the carved watermelons.

Four Reasons Belize Is A Top Destination For RetireesWhen looking to retire in style, you should consider Belize as it offers a host of benefits to the average person. In fact, Belize is quickly growing in popularity as more and more retirees are checking out this top destination.
Here are four reasons why Belize is a top destination for retirees. A better way of living: In Western nations, people often place a lot of their time and effort into making more money. While it’s understandable in some ways, not everyone in the world is all about making cash. Yes, in Belize, people actually take the time to enjoy life, check out the Maya sites and spend time with family. For this reason, if you are looking to retire and enjoy a slower pace of life, you should seriously consider Belize as you can sit back, relax and enjoy time with family and friends, all at your own pace.

International Sources

St. Simon’s in Oakville reaches out to students in BelizeOakville’s St. Simon’s Anglican Church hopes residents will bring their appetites to its annual spaghetti dinner Saturday (Nov. 1) to help raise funds for its next missionary trip.
The local parish is hosting the dinner in support of its fourth trip to Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, Belize in July 2015.
Every other summer, the parish’s youth team, accompanied by adults, leads an expedition to Holy Cross to lend a helping hand. The team previously visited Belize in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
“We believe in helping our neighbours. It doesn’t matter if it’s your neighbour next door or if it’s somebody who’s thousands of kilometres away. We should all be helping when we can, and who we can,” said Robyn Michell, church youth leader.

A Passport to Guatemala’s Mayan PastStarting around 1500 B.C., the Maya established one of the dominant civilizations in Mesoamerica. At its height, the empire stretched from southern Mexico to parts of Honduras and El Salvador, with its center in present-day Guatemala. Skilled at agriculture, astronomy and mathematics, the Maya built stepped stone temples, palaces, cities that held tens of thousands of residents. But for reasons that are not understood, their civilization went into decline even before Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century; urban centers were abandoned to the jungle and many traditions vanished.
Our guide, Manuel, described Tikal’s history along the way—its wars with rival communities like Caracol in Belize and Calakmul in Mexico, and its rulers with fanciful names like Ah Cacao. The Maya built an incredibly advanced civilization, but some of their customs were chilling; bloodletting and human sacrifice played an important role in their rituals, the guide told us. He avoided the main paths, instead taking us on circuitous trails through the jungle so he could save some key areas, such as the ceremonial center known as the Gran Plaza, for last. He knew the best vantage points and showed us countless mounds that remained unexcavated. We spotted monkeys, bats, a huge ant colony and various exotic plants; Manuel had seen jaguars on previous visits, but we had no such luck.

From motmots to tomtits: discover the world’s best birdwatchingI’ve been to Panama twice and plan to go to the Darien region next time. I’ve also been to Ecuador twice – including the Galapagos Islands – and there are still more areas to discover. Southeast Arizona is also fantastic. I’ll also be visiting the Everglades next month and returning to Belize in Spring – it’s not only very birdie: I’ll be doing some scuba diving as well. @MsBoice
The wonderful Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Had a great time watching some fledgling owls deal with their “first steps” and their empty-nester mother – from about three meters away. @FollowsummerGG

Consumers and retailers urged to stick with Fairtrade sugar as poorest farmers face crisisThe Fairtrade Foundation is calling on UK consumers and businesses to continue buying Fairtrade cane sugar, even if the recent crash in sugar prices within the EU means they could save a couple of pence a bag by switching to non-Fairtrade.
The not-for-profit organisation says that the price crash puts the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of sugar cane farmers and workers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries at risk, and is the first sign of a crisis that could push 200,000 people into poverty. Fairtrade will also be contacting Neven Mimica, who is due to take office as EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development within the next few days, to alert him to the crisis and urge him not to turn his back on sugar cane farmers and communities across the former Commonwealth and other developing nations, to whom the UK has historic obligations.
The dramatic drop in sugar prices took place after the European Commission released additional supplies of domestically-produced beet sugar onto the European market, and after it was confirmed that from 2017, a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will end the limit on the amount of domestically-produced beet sugar that can be sold in the EU. There have also been anecdotal reports that large EU sugar companies have been aggressively targeting the UK market.

Video: coastal highway Belize, 3min.Belize's deadliest road. Watch us tackle Coastal Highway Belize. Why it's called Coastal Highway we don't understand. It not near the coast and it certainly is not road you can travel at highway speeds. We made it, but don't advise you do it. Only experienced 4x4 drivers need apply.
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